For what reasons do people buy woodland?

RHemmings

What would be the main reasons or motivations for people who buy woodlands? E.g. the parcels of land sold on this site: 

https://www.woods4sale.co.uk/woodlands/south-west-england/2207.htm



If anyone here has or does own such a piece of land, I'd really like to hear of your experiences and what you got out of owning land like that. And, I mean 'what you got out of owning' in a very broad sense, not limiting it to any one kind of benefit. 

Note: My question isn't rhetorical at all. I'd like to know why people buy land like this. Note also that I'm not thinking of buying one myself. After looking into smaller pieces of land within city limits, I decided that the responsibility of owning such a bit of land is too much for me. A bigger bit of land further out - even more so. 

The above listing mentions harvesting the wood, but are these lands only bought for the wood growing there? 

This website seems to advertise buying woodlands as a way to get in touch with nature, with investment only mentioned down the bottom. https://www.woodlands.co.uk/why-buy-a-woodland/  This newspaper article also focusses on the getting back to nature aspect. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/bought-woodland-worth-it-made-me-happy-nature/

theartfullodger

iirc no inheritance tax, possibly other tax fiddles

RHemmings

theartfullodger said:

iirc no inheritance tax, possibly other tax fiddles

That's one I wasn't expecting! Of course, that may just show that I'm naive. 

Grumpy_chap

Is this another "discussion time" question or do you actually have a specific question where you are actually looking for advice?
What is that specific question?

RHemmings

Grumpy_chap said:

Is this another "discussion time" question or do you actually have a specific question where you are actually looking for advice?
What is that specific question?

As per my original post, I'm not thinking of doing this myself. I'm just curious. 'Discussion time' is a reasonable description. I'm happy to read whatever people post in response. 

ProDave

If it was cheap enough and close enough I would buy some woodland just to ensure a supply of wood for my WBS.  I would not need much, management of the trees we have in the garden meets most of our needs.

Edge of village location has the slim possibility if you could clear a corner of it, you might, just might, one day, get planning to build a house on it.

oystercatcher

Someone I know has bought some similar land , put up secure fencing and uses it as a safe place to visit to allow their (several) dogs roam freely and safely. They also take their caravan there occaisionally for holidays . I believe there are rules about length of stay but up to 28 days is allowed .

Section62

RHemmings said:

What would be the main reasons or motivations for people who buy woodlands? E.g. the parcels of land sold on this site: 

"Mid-rotation Douglas fir" = commercial woodland, being grown with the intention of (ultimately) felling it for timber.

Larger areas of woodland in more isolated locations are often bought/sold for the shooting rights.

And as artfull says, sometimes woodland is acquired for financial chicanery reasons.

Grumpy_chap

RHemmings said:

Grumpy_chap said:

Is this another "discussion time" question or do you actually have a specific question where you are actually looking for advice?
What is that specific question?

As per my original post, I'm not thinking of doing this myself. I'm just curious. 'Discussion time' is a reasonable description. I'm happy to read whatever people post in response. 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6282204/discussion-time

Brie

To stop development??  Buy some random unconnected patches and make a nuisance of yourself!!

chrisw

I've always fancied owning some but I've no idea why.